Will beinteresting to see how long before this initiative gains traction here.New European rules formotorcycle gear

The European Parliament decided this weekthat motorcycle gear is protective clothing that will have to meet European
standards.Until now only protective (motorcycle) gloves, boots and impactprotectors were seen as protective gear and had to meet certain standards.
Today the European parliament decided to include all motorcycle gear in the new
protective personal equipment (PPE) regulation.This means, that in a few years’ time all motorcycle gear thatis sold in Europe has to meet the same safety standards. They will have to
provide a minimum amount of protection against abrasion and impact.Just like with boots and gloves now, there must be a labelinside the gear that confirms that the gear meets the European standards and
what level of protection is provided. Also information about maintenance,
storage and use must be given to the buyer.The exact standards and when all motorcycle gear in the shopsmust meet them are not known yet. It might even take some years. FEMA will
inform the riders of all new developments.This new regulation does not mean thatriders are obliged to wear only approved clothing. Thisregulation is about selling approved protective clothing and not about wearing
it. As far as we know the European Commission has no plans to make the wear of
approved motorcycle gear mandatory.FEMA’s General Secretary Dolf Willigers commented: “When allmotorcycle gear meets the standard you know what amount of protection you can
expect. This is consumer protection we don’t have now. Of course the new
standards will have to meet the needs of the riders, but with the information
we have now I have all confidence that this will be the case. As long as the
European authorities will not use these standards to force riders to wear only
approved motorcycle gear, and we will see to it that this will not happen,
standardization of motorcycle gear is a good thing for riders.”Helmets and visors are outside the scope of this regulation:they are covered by UN ECE Regulation no. 22.Note to the editors:
FEMA
The European Federation of Motorcyclists’ Associations (FEMA), represents
riders’ rights organisations from the whole of Europe in the European
institutions and the United Nations to have their voice heard in an early stage
in the legislative processes concerning motorcycling. More information on www.fema-online.euPress contact
For further information or to receive future FEMAs news and press releases
please contact the secretariat on telephone: [url=tel:%2B32%20%280%292%20736%2090%2047]+32(0)2 736 90 47[/url] or by email: info fema-online.eu.
Mr. Dolf Willigers can be reached directly by email d.willigers fema-online.eu or by mobilephone [url=tel:%2B31%20%280%29%20613269211]+31 (0) 613269211[/url].